Story of the sands of time

THE Sands of Time, written by Formby man Phil Smith, is the inspiration for this week's Times Past. The new title , which will be on sale later this week in Pritchards, reflects upon Formby's coast and its 10,000 year history.

Devil's hole in the Formby dunes
Phil Smith, the book's engaging author, found the time to chat with Times Past about the Formby's coast line and his own life.
He said: "There is 10,000 years of history on our doorstep, so that is what the book is about. Although the Formby footprints and the history of sand mining are fairly well known, but there are some less well known features.
For example, for many years the Formby coastline was riddled with extensive rabbit warrens. The animals were hunted and killed for their skins, giving rise to a small industry in the 19th century.
Although I was born in Crosby I spent my formative years in Ainsdale, where I collected Natterjack Toads and fell in love with the coast.
I ended up teaching applied biology at Liverpool Polytechnic, and I retired in 1993.
Dr Phil Smith will be in Pritchards on Friday afternoon between 3pm and 5pm when he will sign copies of his new book. Pritchards' manager Tony Higginson, said "It is a cracking book and it is now on sale at £15.00"